Agriculture and Its Types, Industry & Infrastructure, Services Sector – UPSC Geography Notes

Overview: Economic development depends on three major sectors — Agriculture (Primary), Industry & Infrastructure (Secondary), and Services (Tertiary). UPSC tests these concepts frequently in GS1, GS3, and Geography Optional.

1. Agriculture – Meaning & Importance
2. Types of Agriculture
3. Industry – Meaning & Classification
4. Industrial Location Factors
5. Infrastructure – Types & Importance
6. Services Sector – Nature & Components
7. UPSC Quick Revision Notes
8. Previous Year Question

1. Agriculture – Meaning & Importance

Agriculture is the cultivation of crops, rearing of animals, and use of land for food, fibre, and raw materials.

Importance of Agriculture

Provides livelihood to large population.
Supports industries (textile, sugar, food processing).
Ensures food security.
Contributes to exports & GDP.

2. Types of Agriculture

(A) Subsistence Agriculture

Small farms, traditional tools.
Low productivity; crops for family consumption.
Common in India, Africa, Southeast Asia.

(B) Intensive Subsistence Agriculture

High labour input.
Multi-cropping, irrigation-based.
Rice-wheat regions of India, China.

(C) Extensive Commercial Agriculture

Large farms, mechanisation.
Low labour per hectare.
USA, Canada, Australia.

(D) Plantation Agriculture

Single crop grown on large estates.
Tea, coffee, rubber, oil palm.
Found in tropical regions.

(E) Mixed Farming

Crops + livestock.
Ensures economic stability.
Europe, North America, India.

(F) Shifting Cultivation

Crops grown on cleared forest lands.
Land abandoned after few years.
Known as Jhum (Northeast India).

(G) Dairy and Horticulture

Dairy → milk production (New Zealand, Denmark).
Horticulture → fruits, vegetables, flowers.

3. Industry – Meaning & Classification

Industry refers to economic activities involving processing of raw materials into finished goods.

Types of Industries

(A) Based on Raw Material

Agro-based (cotton, sugar, jute)
Mineral-based (iron & steel, cement)
Chemical industries
Forest-based industries (paper, plywood)

(B) Based on Size

Cottage industries
Small-scale industries
Large-scale industries

(C) Based on Ownership

Public sector (SAIL, ONGC)
Private sector
Joint sector

Importance of Industries

Economic growth driver.
Creates employment.
Provides essential goods.
Promotes infrastructure development.

4. Industrial Location Factors

Industries grow where favourable conditions exist.

Raw materials (iron ore, cotton)
Power (coal, electricity)
Labour availability
Market accessibility
Transport & communication
Government policies

5. Infrastructure – Types & Importance

Infrastructure provides the backbone for economic development.

Types of Infrastructure

(A) Economic Infrastructure

Transport (roads, railways, ports, airports)
Energy (power plants, pipelines)
Communication (internet, telecom)
Banks & financial institutions

(B) Social Infrastructure

Health facilities
Education
Housing
Sanitation & water supply

Importance

Boosts economic growth.
Improves quality of life.
Reduces regional inequality.
Promotes industrialisation & trade.

6. Services Sector

The Service Sector (Tertiary sector) includes all activities that provide support services to primary & secondary sectors.

Key Components

Transport & logistics
Banking, finance, insurance
Retail & wholesale trade
IT & communication services
Education & health services
Tourism & hospitality

Importance of the Services Sector

Largest contributor to GDP (India → ~55% of GDP).
Major employment generator.
Supports digital economy.
Drives urbanisation and global integration.

7. UPSC Quick Revision Notes

Agriculture → Primary sector; types → subsistence, intensive, plantation, mixed, shifting.
Industry → Secondary sector; depends on raw material, labour, market, power.
Infrastructure → economic + social; essential for growth.
Services → banking, IT, transport, tourism; largest GDP contributor in India.
Industrial location theory → least cost, labour, proximity to market.
Plantation agriculture → single commercial crop + large estates.
Mixed farming → crops + livestock = stable income system.

8. Previous Year Question

Q. Which one of the following is the fastest-growing sector in India?
(a) Primary sector
(b) Secondary sector
(c) Tertiary sector
(d) Mining sector
Answer: (c) Tertiary sector

Related Keywords

Agriculture UPSC Notes, Industry & Infrastructure UPSC, Services Sector Geography, Economic Activities, NCERT Class XII Human Geography.

Sources: NCERT Class XII – Fundamentals of Human Geography, NITI Aayog, Economic Survey (simplified).

Agriculture and Its Types